Prayer Shawl Ministry

We meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Immaculata Monastery, 300 No. 18th St.

About Prayer Shawls

In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winters, MMS. Care and the love of knitting have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need and comfort and solace. Many blessings are knitted into every shawl.

Whether they are called “Prayer Shawls”, “Comfort Shawls”, “Peace Shawls”, or “Mantles” just to name a few, the knitter begins each shawl with prayers and blessings for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is offered a final ritual before being sent along its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making one themselves and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

To make the shawls personal, the giver or the recipient may want to adorn the shawl with beads, shells, feathers, or charms. A blessing or ritual may be offered when the gift is presented.

NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT MONICA

Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, you perserveringly pursued your wayward sonNot with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remainClose to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray. Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced your heartDuring your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversionOf your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my plea For [State your petition here.) And grant me the grace to accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

If you like to knit or crochet, here are 2 patterns our Prayer Shawl Ministry uses.

The above pattern is the original. We have made some changes to fit our needs. We like a shorter prayer cloth and eliminate rows 15-18. We usually use size 5 or 6 needles. We also use 0 or 1 with sock yarn or fine crochet thread to make postage stamp size. This makes it easier to mail in a card and nice size for a pocket.

Mary Pribnow’s Favorite Wheel Chair Prayer ShawlThis little wrap was designed specifically for the elderly - particularly those confined to wheelchairs or to bed. The short length prevents it from getting caught in wheels. The shape helps keep in on the shoulders where many elderly get cold. Being open down the front makes it easy for medical personnel to access arms for blood pressure readings and such.

12 ounces of worsted weight yarn H hook (I like to use L hook)Approximately 18 inches long (down the center back) and approximately 80 inches around the bottom edge

V stitch = 1dc, ch1, 1dcChain 54Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch, *dc in next 11 ch, v st in next ch, repeat from * 2 times, dc in next 11 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 1 dc in each of last 2 ch, ch 2, turn (58 dc and 5 ch 1 spaces)Row 2: dc in next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in next 13 dc, V st in ch1 space, repeat from * 2 times, dc in next 13 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last dc and in top of turning ch, ch2, turn (8 sts increased).Rows 3 - 28: repeat row 2, following established pattern, always increasing the number of dc between V sts by 2 (each row increases by a total of 8 sts).Row 29: dc in next dc, ch 1, skip ch 1 space, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip 1 dc and dc in next st, repeat from * to V st in previous row, ch 1, V st in ch 1 space of V st, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc repeat from * across row to last dc. Ch 1, skip ch 1 space, dc in next dc, dc in last dc and in top of turning ch, ch 2, turnRow 30: dc in each dc and ch 1 space across, end off, weave in ends.